Classics and the Modern Era

Already out there...

Williams

Williams by Bachmann

Menards

RMT

You're describing Williams semi-scale products and Menards rolling stock. How does their stuff differ from your post? They're doing pretty well. 

Not trying to be a smart-aleck. I would be interested in your concept if it differs from those manufacturers which I really like.

The Williams by Bachmann line seems to be shrinking. All of the postwar classic steam engines have gone and other things are disappearing too.

Menards has yet to come out with an engine.

Got the 2017 Bachman catalog here. Their O offerings

Scale GG1, Semi Scale 4-6-2's, Scale 4-6-0, Scale Genesis, SD90's, Scale Dash9's, Scale GP38's, Scale GP320's, F3's, Scale FA-1's, FA-2's, Scale RS-3's, Scale S-2's and Scale 44 tonners. In those cases where it did not say "scale", I'm guessing semi scale. No passenger cars listed at all.

Steve

I run both modern and PW trains, each represents a specific point of time for me. The present selection is more than adequate for my needs. And there is always the after-market to find what you want.

Engine97 posted:

It seems to me as though the hobby is shifting, going from the dated trains of yesteryear, and swinging into an era filled with scale locomotives, quality sound and high prices.

 

You forgot "shorter service life". My postwar trains have been operating for about 65 years with minor care.

Could a company, who is not interested in producing the fanciest trains on the market survive in today's market? What I mean is, assume a new company appeared, and the company's goal was to produce "Classic Model Trains". Model trains that had a "Postwar Likeness" to them; "Selectively compressed" dimensions, lacking in the sound effects department, and lacking in astounding detail. Such a business model could potentially shrink the price and fill the gap between a tight budget and the crazy high prices of today's O-Scale models. (Low prices, mind you, would attract more people to the hobby.)

Any company producing Postwar style trains, including Lionel LLC. has to compete with the Postwar trains that are already out there, as well as all the product that was made during the Modern era up through around 1993-1994.
IMHO, that is the reason companies like Lionel have emphasized scale offerings and electronics. They have to set themselves apart from the older stuff which is plentiful, generally works well, and is less expensive.

As others have mentioned,Williams and Menards seem to be filling this niche. I highly recommend Williams to newcomers to the hobby. I'm on the fence about Menards. 

Bottom line,I don't think there's a large enough market for another player in a shrinking O gauge market. There's so much new or like new 10,20,30 even 40 year old product out there. 

The role model exists! If my memory serves me right, I heard Mike Wolf say that his Rail King line of trains was MTH's biggest seller. Rail King trains are generally as you describe, smaller and less expensive than scale trains.

Bobby Ogage posted:

The role model exists! If my memory serves me right, I heard Mike Wolf say that his Rail King line of trains was MTH's biggest seller. Rail King trains are generally as you describe, smaller and less expensive than scale trains.

I remember that. When Mike introduced the RK line,the offerings were like the postwar trains we remembered. I still have a few of those early RK and Premier steam locos and they still run well. Nowadays,the Railking line is a mish mash of ex-premier scale models,fantasy and "toasters" stuffed with the latest gizmos,so they are not like the original RK offerings. I know still offer some nice RK starter sets but quality seems all over the board. It appears to me that MTH is trying to be a big player in ALL the scales (RK 1 gauge,Rugged Rails,Railking,Railking Scale,Imperial,Premier,European O,S scale,HO scale,HO three rail AC for Maerklin,Lionel Tinplate and Tinplate Traditions). My observations indicate all the effort is on the HO line these days as they seem to be doing well with it. Mike's an astute businessman. It will be interesting if there will be changes to the overall MTH lines in the near future. N scale seems to really be a growing scale and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a move to that market.

While WBB has upgraded Williams they have lost sight of what Williams was. And as mentioned above most all of the classic's that had been offered are now gone from the lineup. Menards is the only new player that seems to be bringing us affordable product. So yes it can be done.